Our “KCAC” program (Kiwanis Cares About Children) has made a big difference in the lives of many local families who have received help from the club.

On July 26, 1997 an article in the Burbank Leader caught the eye of Kiwanis Club member Stephen Veres. 

This article is about an injured Good Samaritan Agustin Luz, who tried to help Sharon McPherson, a widowed mother of six, whose car had run out of gas on Glenoaks Blvd., stranding her and three of her young children.  While attempting to put gas in the car, they were suddenly struck by a hit-and-run, drunk driver.

Surrounded by her children, Sharon McPherson died at the scene, and Agustin Luz was critically injured.  This event changed the lives of both families forever.

Agustin Luz had to undergo 4 operations to repair a broken neck, broken back, broken leg and other injuries.

After reading the article Stephen showed it to his wife Elaine and suggested to her that they should help the family.  She agreed.  A few minutes later Stephen placed a call to the family and offered help. 

The following day Stephen & Elaine visited the Luz family and brought food and household goods.

It was only the beginning.

Through the generosity of a local Burbank Police Officer Lt. Ed Skavarna, the McPherson children were flown home to Cincinnati Ohio to live temporarily with their oldest sister Carrie herself a 24-year-old mother of two.

Realizing that the need was great and it would require a major undertaking, Stephen sent a letter to club members asking for help for the two families.  As a member of the Board of Directors, at the next club board meeting a few weeks later, Stephen asked the club to get involved in this project in order to provide more aid to these stricken families.  After presenting his case to the board, a motion was made to help the Luz and the McPherson families and the Luz McPherson Relief Fund was born.

For Melanie’s 5th birthday on August 7, 1997 Stephen took Melanie to Toys R Us for some birthday presents.  She selected the toys she wanted: a nice coloring set, 2 Barbie Doll sets and a Barbie Doll Clothes Collection. 
We didn’t forget about baby Veronica either, we got her a large pack of diapers and lots of baby food.

In early August 1997, over 150 letters were mailed to friends and local businesses by Stephen requesting financial help for the two families. On August 27th, new clothing was delivered for Melanie and Veronica.  The smile on Melanie's face tells the story.

The generosity of club members, friends of Kiwanis and local businesses allowed the Burbank Kiwanis Club to expand the assistance to both families because it was the right thing to do.

We didn’t forget the 5 McPherson kids either in Cincinnati Ohio.  On August 27, 2007 we shipped huge boxes via UPS, filled with 14 bags of clothing, backpacks, stuffed toys and a large check for food and for other needed items. 

Within a very short time, food certificates and monthly checks were given to the Luz family because there was no family income.  Financial aid was provided to both families until June 7th, 2000 when the remaining balance of the Luz-McPherson Relief Fund were distributed.  On June 7th 2000 the final check issued was $ 1,073.20 to each family closing over 34 months of continuous financial support.

On August 13, 1997 at our Burbank Kiwanis Club meeting, Relief Fund Chairman Stephen Veres and Kiwanis Club president Garry Kessler introduced the Luz family to our members.





















In 1998, a wonderful middle class family who lived in Cincinnati Ohio adapted the 5 McPherson kids. They were in the process of adapting a child because they could not have children. They learned about it from local newspapers that carried the story as we were sending news releases to Ohio also as we were raising money both in CA and in OH because of the 2 families. The couple decided to keep the children together and adapted all 5 of them. What a wonderful story. The new Stepmother quit her job to take care of the 5 kids. Several of the kids had to undergo counseling for several months but they are doing great now. Some of the kids are in college now while others still in High School. They added on to the house shortly after the kids were adapted and we helped with some of the costs of the addition.

 

Because of our help, we helped rebuild the lives of two devastated families.

And the support continues with the generosity of our club members and friends because with us,
“Children are Priority One!”